Drag chain



Feb. 6, 1923.

A. L. HANSEN. DRAG CHAIN. FILED JUNE 15.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 fnvamfor.

Attor72 ,5

Patented Fa. 6,1923.

AxnnL. HANSEN, or cmrceeo, rumors.

DRAG exam.

Application filed June 15,

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, AxEL L. HAfisnN, a subject of the King of Denmark, but having declared my intention ofbecoming a citizen of the United States by taking out my first papers, residing'at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Drag Chains, of which the following is a specification. 1 My invention relates to a conveyor chain, and particularly to a chain to be made of cast metal such as malleable iron, manganese steel, steel alloy, bronze etc., and is illustrated particularly in connection with a drag chain of the type which is dragged along a track or trough and has on it carrying elements, which engage and convey the material in the trough. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specifications.

I illustrate the invention more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a section through trough and chain illustrating the use of the chain;

Figure 2 is an elevation of a portionof the chain; with parts broken away and parts in section;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional riant type of chain;

Figure 5 is a detail section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

A is a trough supported in any framework B for example by the angle irons C to which the trough is bolted. The trough is adapted to contain the materials to be conveyed such as ashes, for example, which are delivered to the trough by the spout D. The drag chain is an endless chain, as is usual in such installations, and is guided and propelled by the usual means, not shown, the portion of the chain not in contact with the material conveyed being carried on a return slide supported on the structural member E and illustrated as comprising op posed rails FF supported on brackets or angle irons G supported on the framework B. The chain is composed of two t pes of link, namely, a single center link which has projecting from each end of it, preferably cast integral therewith, a pair of pine showing of a vaherein elsewhere illustrated 1921. Serial No. 4723712;

projecting from opposed sides of the 11 T is simple link element with its" pins at either side,

is gripped by the opposed heads I, of the opposed, joined, side link so heads I,

aperture I entirely enclosed withinv the head IC The members I when fitted to the pins H are secured together by any preerred fastening means for example the bolt K, and form the assembled link element.

Integral spacing bosses L, preferably adjacent or about the bolt K, space the members I at the proper distance apart to prevent binding against the link H, and to permit free rotation on the pins H.

The s ace bridged iy the guards M in the form of flanges projecting across the openin between the two link members. The en surfaces N of the members I provide bearing surfaces for the sprocket form part of the chain actuating means not and not part of this invention.

Intermediate the heads of the side link members, or at any preferred position there- 90 on, are placed the conveying elements or members J illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as sidewardly projecting flanges adapted to contact the bottom of the trough in which the chain travels, along. The space intermediate these conveying means and the heads I is bridged by guards J similar to the guards M.

Figure 4 illustrates a variant form of link and conveying member adapted for the con- 100 veying of logs and comprising a toothed member J which takes the place of the member J as illustrated in Fig. 1. The log rests thereupon and the chain otherwise acts in the same way as the drag chain of Fig. 1, 105

save that the logs are carried by the chain about the upper portion of its excursion.

It will be realized that while I have shown a practical working embodiment of my invention, the size, sh

of the parts may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, and

there being a rotatable 65 intermediate the links II is teeth J, which and convey material thereape and positioning. 11

viously be made inte ral with or be attached to the single link e ement or to, both link elements. v

The use and operation'of my invention are as follows:

I have illustrated a chain which is composed of a very small number of simple arts adapted particularly for use in a cast c ain. The center link has cast on it a pair of opposed pins at either end. These pins form the bearing surfaces which are engaged by sockets in the ends of said links, each'pair of which forms a link element. These side link elements are properly spaced from each other by bosses'and secured together adjacent these bosses, after the sockets in the heads at either end of the side links have been fitted to the pinsof the center link. Within the head of each side link member is a grease pocket which may be filled with any suitable lubricant such as hard grease, graphite, etc. The materials carried, such as ashes, are prevented from slipping between the two side link members or from jamming in about the conveying members and the link heads, by the guard plates which project across the top of the interval between them.

The form of the conveying elements is .of course capable of infinite variation to suit the material conveyed. Where coal, ashes, or similar finely divided materials are to be conveyed, the conveying element may be a paddle which contacts the bottom of the trough in which the chain travels, and sweeps or pushes before it the material therein contained or delivered. When logs are to'be transported, elementswith upwardly extending spikes or calks are provided to support the log andthus carry it forward. These illustrations are merely suggestions of the many possible uses to which such a chain may be put. While I have described and shown my link members as having closed grease pockets, it will be realized that other lubricating means may be used and that with some materials lubricating means may be entirely dispensed with. In such case the ends of the pins H may, if desired, be permitted to project through the bearing heads of the double link members.

I claim:

1. A chain comprising a single link element, said link consisting of a single thick-v ness of metal having opposed bearing pins formed on each side of each end thereof and integral therewith, aplurality of centrally The chain restricted double link elements, bearing heads at each end thereof adapted to be secured to and rotatably to engage said pins, and conveying elements secured to said double link elements comprising lateral projections integral with saidlink elements.

2. A chain comprising a single link mem- Y ber having opposed bearing pins at either end thereof, and a plurality of double link elements adapted to be secured to and rotatabl to engage said pins, and grease pockets lying within said double link elements adjacent said pins.

3. A chain comprising a single link member having opposed bearing pins at either end thereof, and a plurality of double link elements adapted to be secured to and 1'0- tatably to engage said pins, and grease pockets lying within said double" link elements adjacent said pins, said link provided with openings to said grease pockets, adapted to be closed by said bearing pins.

4. A link comprising opposed separate link'elements, means for securing them together, and inwardly projecting guard members adapted to substantially cover the interval therebetween.

5. In a chain, the combination of a single link element, having projecting bearing pins at either end with a double link element composed of a plurality of parts and contacted by said bearing pins, and grease pockets lying within said double link p'arts adjacent said bearing ins.

6. In a chain the combination of a single link element having projecting bearing pins at either end, with a double link element composed of a plurality of parts secured together about said pins, and an enclosed lubricant pocket lying entirely within each double link element, and adjacent said bearing surface.

7. In a link comprising opposed link elements, means for securing them together, spacing means for properly spacing them, and inwardly projecting guard members adapted to substantially cover the interval between said elements.

8. In a link comlp-rising opposed link elements, means for securing them together and spacing means for properl spacing them comprising a plurality of opposed bosses adjacent the connecting means.

9. In a link comprising opposed link elements, means for securing them together and spacing means for properly spacin them comprising a plurality of opposed bosses adjacent the connecting means, and inwardly projecting guard members adapted to substantially over the interval between said elements.

10. In a link comprising opposed link elements, means for securing them together and spacing means for properly spacing them], and means for substantially covering the intervening portion between said links.

11. In a link comprising opposed link elements, means for securing them together and spacing means for properly spacing them, and means for substantially covermg the intervening portion between said links, comprising integral guard plates bridging said intervening portion.

12. A chain comprising single link members having outwardly projecting integral bearing pins at the end thereof, and opposed link elements adapted to be positioned upon said bearing pins and to be secured together at a point removed from said bearing pins.

13. A chain comprising a single link member having opposed bearing surfaces at either end thereof, and a plurality of double link element-s adapted to be secured to and rotatably to engage said bearing surfaces, and lubricating means lying wlthin said double link elements, adjacent said bearing surfaces.

14. A chain comprising a single link memher having opposed bearing surfaces at either end thereof, and a plurality of double link elements adapted to be secured to and rotatably to engage said bearing surfaces, and lubricating means lying within said double link elements, adjacent to and closed by said bearing surfaces.

15. A chain comprising a single link member having opposed bearing surfaces at either end thereof, and a plurality of double link elements, adapted rotatably to engage said bearing surfaces, and means for scour-- ing said double link elements together against said bearing surfaces, and lubricating means adjacent said bearing surfaces, lying within said double link elements.

16. In a chain a link element and bearing surface thereon, a double link element adapted to engage it comprising a centrally constructed link body, a head ortion at either end thereof, said head portlon adapted rotatably to engage the single link element.

17 In a chain a link element and bearing surface thereon, a double' link element adapted to engage it comprising a link body a head portion at either end thereof, said head portion adapted'rotatably toengage the single link element, and lubricating means enclosed within said head portion.

18. A chain comprising a single link member having opposed bearing surfaces at either end thereof and a plurality of double link elements adapted rotatably to engage said bearing surfaces, and means for securing said double link elements together against said bearing surfaces comprising a bolt and adjacent spacing means therefor.

19. A chain comprising a plurality of link elements having inclosed bearing surfaces and grease pockets lying within said link elements and adjacent said bearing surfaces.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses this 11th day of June 1921.

AXEL L. HANSEN.

Witnesses:

JosErmNE D. GREENE EDNA PETERSON. 

